Trio II (Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt & Dolly Parton): Trio II

The first Trio recording, a collection of classic songs sung by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolly Parton, was a monumental success in 1987, capitalizing on the sudden surge of country music's popularity among women and, it would soon turn out, the whole of America. The three singers have long talked about recording a sequel to that record, and now, with the unimaginatively titled Trio II, fans have a reason to celebrate. Once again, Harris, Ronstadt, and Parton have convened with producer George Massenberg to harmonize on an eclectic, albeit safe, selection of songs both country and not so country. This time out, however, the division of labor isn't so balanced: While Harris and Parton do much to justify their long reigns, Ronstadt falls prey to the lite-rock pitfalls that have forever plagued her career. Harris' lead on The Carter Family's "Lover's Return" demonstrates how she's been able to alter her singing over the years to suit her weathered voice, and Parton's reworking of her own "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" is a strong reminder of her formidable talents. But what to make of Ronstadt's soupy rendition of "The Blue Train," a wispy piece of adult-contemporary fluff that's about as country as a commercial jingle, or Randy Newman's "Feels Like Home" (which, incidentally, was recorded on the Ronstadt album of the same title, along with "The Blue Train") They just don't cut it in the context of such country giants, and will no doubt soon find their way onto the soundtrack of some sappy romantic comedy. Hearing the three harmonize on Harley Allen's "High Sierra" (another track from Feels Like Home) and Neil Young's "After The Gold Rush" is a real pleasure, a perfect meeting of high-quality material and talented interpreters, but some of the best tracks focus on single voices. Harris is wonderful and wistful on "When We're Gone, Long Gone" and "You'll Never Be The Sun," an original composition written by the three, while Parton spunks up Del McCoury's "I Feel The Blues Movin' In." Since Ronstadt could never really hold her own as a solo artist, her failings shouldn't come as much of a surprise. It's just unfortunate that she sounds so out of her depth here.